Why Tuface Cancelled Anti-Government Protest

Award winning musician Tuface Idibia alias 2baba, has cancelled his much-publicised Feb. 6, anti-government protest.In an Instagram post and a short video via his official handle @official2baba late Saturday the musician attributed the cancellation to “security reasons “.The protest, was scheduled to hold in Abuja, Lagos and other parts of the country on Feb 6.He said, “Dear Nigerians, due to security concerns and public safety consideration, I hereby announce the cancellation of the march.”The decision came a day after Laolu Akande, a senior special assistant (media) in the presidency said that Tuface, had the right to protest.Akande stated this on his tweeter handle: @akandeoj;“It is fundamental right of the people”.“This administration will not prevent Nigerians from expressing themselves in peaceful protests”, he said.

The planned protest gained momentum with several public figures and civil society groups pledging to be part of it on Monday.Tuface called for nationwide protest against what he claimed as the worst economic crisis in the country which saw the costs of goods and services skyrocketing, with many families struggling to survive.The Police had ealier warned against the protest after its initial promise to provide security.The police commissioner in Lagos, Fatai Owoseni said the police would disallow the protest to hold on grounds that it could be hijacked by hoodlums and it is illegal.Police authorities said they had “credible intelligence” that other groups were planning a counter protest on the same day and at the same venues, saying the event could turn violent.